Christian Horner has to defend himself against serious accusations. Now the 50-year-old has spoken about what has happened within the team since the allegations became known – and it is clear.
Despite an investigation into allegedly inappropriate behavior, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner recognizes the company’s support.
“The support from the shareholders has been fantastic,” said Horner, according to the Times, on Thursday on the sidelines of the launch of Red Bull’s new Formula 1 car in Milton Keynes. The support of the shareholders was also present shortly after the death of company founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022. “We are a team,” emphasized Horner.
At the beginning of February, parent company Red Bull launched an “independent investigation” into Horner, who led Red Bull to seven drivers’ and six constructors’ titles. “Certain allegations,” first reported by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, had previously become known. Specifically, Horner is said to have behaved in a cross-border manner towards an employee and to have sent her sexually suggestive messages over a long period of time.
According to “De Telegraaf”, Horner wanted to cover up the allegations and is said to have even offered the employee around 760,000 euros to cover up the matter – without success.
“I’ve never seen the team so united”
An external specialist lawyer had Horner, the longest-serving team boss in the premier motorsport class, give his opinion during an hour-long conversation in London on Friday a week ago. “I have confidence in the process and firmly reject every accusation that has been made,” said Horner, who has been married to former “Spice Girl” Geri Halliwell since 2015. The Brit believes “that these moments of uncertainty bring the team together. I have never seen the team as united and full of support as it is now.”
Horner has also been the team boss since Red Bull entered Formula 1 in 2005. “I built this team, I convinced people to come here and work here. I enjoy working with the team,” he emphasized and wants to stay with the world champion team for a long time.
RB20 presented
Horner presented the new Formula 1 car on Thursday together with his two drivers. Before the start of the racing team’s 20th season in the premier motorsport class with the RB20, the 50-year-old praised the team culture at Red Bull as a prerequisite for success.
This is everything, emphasized Horner. “It’s a culture, it’s a very inclusive culture, it’s a team culture,” said the Brit, whose team was the last to introduce the new car. “For me, Formula 1 is the biggest team sport in the world.”
At Horner’s side at the unveiling of the RB20 were world champion Max Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez. As usual, before the start of the season, the three-time champion from the Netherlands expressed caution about the chances of success. “Time will tell, I’m excited,” said Verstappen, who won 19 of 22 races last season.